Nav bezel scratches - Cheap, easy solution!
 

Let's all join hands and go to our safe place, where no one is ignored.

Fortunately, my car doesn't need this, but your solution appears to be a good one.

Great job! this is exactly what I've been looking for. sign me up for the kit.
BTW, I tried looking into # 2 option but what Im understanding is that they don't just sell the bezel, you have to buy a whole Navi screen.

Are there any precut seams for the corners?

Nice solution. Mine is still in good condition, but It's only a matter of time......

Maybe put a layer of clear satin wrap on yours to protect it from getting damaged!

You're asking if there is a way to hide the seam in an already-existing panel seam, right? I wish there were a way.

I played around with this for a while and I couldn't come up with any solution that did not involve the edge of the film showing. You can wrap the entire top portion of the trim (everything above the vents). That leaves a single horizontal line across the unit just above the vents, but this is 10x harder and it seems to accentuate the slight color difference. You can also run a horizontal strip of about 1" just at the level of the area that is scratched, but the horizontal lines on the far sides then draw the eye. You could also wrap everything, top to bottom, but that would cover the vent flow symbols.

Making the film follow the lines downward from the buttons and then in a curve that mimics the natural curves of the panel seems to be the least noticeable, at least to my eye.

Buy 5' of the film and go wild, experimenting with what works best for your tastes. It's cheap, kinda fun, and relatively easy to work with.


If, however, you're asking about a template or such for the curves at the bottom, let me see if I can scan my template into a PDF file... I'll follow up momentarily.

Here's the template I used. Be sure to print it at "ACTUAL SIZE".

The bottom edge sits just at the top of the vents and the sides line up with the edges of the button panels.


I made a quick video, but it will take me a little bit to get it uploaded.

What an awesome idea LexRex...

My old one was very scratched and faded, so bought a newer one from yahoo auctions japan...

Old one:
https://i66.tinypic.com/23mpkb9.jpg

new one:

https://i67.tinypic.com/69nnr8.jpg

Either way that color match is nearly perfect, and its nice of you to have made a template!

Thumbs up!

Yann.

BRAVO. Simple and easy! Looks awesome man.

Fantastic work. The scratched bezel is the only visable flow in my 04. I have replaced, fixed, every flaw except one. I have ordered the film and look forward to doing the procedure. Can;t think you enough for this very reasonable solution. Very well done, my man!

very nice, this def should be included in FAQ for our cars

Thanks-My 2002 81,000 mile LS is perfect with no deferred maintenance-except for the bezel. Mine is not in bad shape at all, but the OCD in me wanted to find a solution and you have provided it! Just ordered the wrap and printed the PDF and hope my 69 year old eyes will allow me to do as good as you have done with the installation.

Thanks again!

I'm confused. When I use the link for "3M 1080 Matte Graphite Metallic (M211) Vinyl film , I get "3M 1080 Matte Metallic Charcoal Air-Release Vinyl Wrap". In you video you call the wrap "Graphite". I can't find the Matte Graphite Metallic anywhere on the web. Did you actually find and use Matte Metallic Charcoal? If so, can you help me find that so I can order some. Your video shows a really good color match and I want to do the same thing and not order something that is not the color you used. Thanks.

You're right. I made a mistake. The link is correct. It should be charcoal. M211 is the specific model number you should look for.

I've been researching color codes to refinish a steering wheel, trying to find a decent match. So the words "charcoal", "graphite", and such have been swimming in my head lately. Sorry for the confusion.